At the film's first test screening, director Paul Katis was initially depressed as the audience traipsed out without saying a word. He thought that they didn't like the film, when in fact they were traumatized by what they had just seen.
An inquiry praised the soldiers but blamed faulty equipment and incompetence in support operations. The Guardian wrote on 14 January 2008: "British soldiers did not have a map of the mined area even though one was available" and "Soldier's death in Afghanistan blamed on helicopter fault."
Fusilier Barlow's nickname is Ken despite his name being Andy. His nickname comes from the television soap opera, Coronation Street (1960), where there is a long-standing character called "Ken Barlow."
Kajaki Damn, the place the cast and the real servicemen were positioned to protect, was important as a fourth turbine was due to be installed and bring power to most of the province, due to the danger of the area, and high enemy activity, this fourth turbine was never assembled, and the parts remain there to this day.
'Bry Budd' refers to 'Bryan Budd', a corporal in 3 PARA. As mentioned in the film, he was killed while on active service during Operation Herrick in Afghanistan. He was subsequently award the Victoria Cross.